The Feldman File covers eBooks, publishing, new media, Internet services, consumer electronics and salsa dancing. (Okay, not salsa dancing, but it'll be interesting to see how many people looking for information on salsa dancing end up here.)

Now, Sezmi is falling back to a package combining broadcast TV, video-on-demand and Web content for $4.99/month. However, in order to use the Sezmi service, subscribers need a high-speed Internet connection and Sezmi's $150 bundle of a broadcast antenna and 1 Terabyte DVR. By comparison, consumers could subscribe to the ivi TV service for $4.99, which only requires a high-speed Internet connection and runs on most personal computers.

I don't think that lack of customer interest was the only, or even the primary, reason why Sezmi dropped its cable package. However, Sezmi now has an additional problem--many customers in its 35 other markets bought the Sezmi system with the expectation that they would eventually get access to the cable channel package. Now that the cable channel option is dead, I expect many users to discontinue the service or demand refunds.

About Me

I spent 25 years in Silicon Valley managing and launching products for Internet, software and hardware companies. I then moved into the book industry, where I advise publishers and distributors on how best to enter the eBook market.